All-on-four v All-on-six Dental Implants
Dental implants are a great way to restore missing teeth! If you are missing most of the teeth on your upper or lower arch, an all-on-four or all-on-six dental implant procedure may be a great option for you. The procedure for each is very similar and in this section, we will review the similarities and a couple of differences for the two procedures.
How are implant-supported dentures placed?
These two procedures are very similar and your dentist will help you determine which one is right for you. Dental implants are placed directly into your jaw and act as tooth roots onto which your fixed denture is secured.
An oral surgeon or periodontist will place your dental implants under general anesthesia so you will need to have someone available to get you home after your surgery. The implants will integrate into the jaw bone and work to maintain jaw bone structure. They also help absorb the pressure put on your teeth, just like the roots of your natural teeth would.
For this procedure, four to six implants are used to support the entire arch of the teeth instead of placing an implant to replace each individual tooth. In years past, many more implants would be placed to restore an entire arch of the mouth.
Both options are an effective, natural-looking solution for patients who have lost most of their teeth on either one or both arches. Both treatments require the surgical placement of dental implants to support the denture and they both take between two and three hours. Healing time is also the same for each procedure, about six months.
With both procedures, you can have either a removable denture (called an overdenture) or a fixed denture which is screwed onto the implants and cannot be removed except by your dentist. Discuss these two options with your dentist and consider your lifestyle and daily habits when choosing which one is best for you.
Differences Between All-on-Four and All-on-Six
The biggest difference between an all-on-four and all-on-six implant-supported denture is simply the number of implants that are utilized. All-on-four uses four implants and all-on-six uses six implants! Some dentists and specialists may recommend the all-on-six dental implant treatment because it can be stronger and more stable which gives you more comfort and longevity. Whenever you chew your food, the pressure is mostly applied to your posterior teeth and an all-on-six implant denture would stabilize your molars better than an all-on-four.
Another advantage of the all-on-six procedure is maintaining jaw bone structure. Without teeth, the jaw bone can begin to deteriorate over time which is why when people with dentures take them out, their mouth and jaw appear sunken in. Facial structure can change dramatically with extended wear of a traditional denture. Implants keep the jaw bone stimulated and strong.
Your doctors can help determine which option is best for you. Discuss your daily habits and lifestyle with them so they can help you make an informed decision.
